Murray Leonard Brown

In Loving Memory of
Murray Leonard Brown
age 90
Lovingly remembered by his wife Shirley 
and children Michelle, and Keith (Lisa)

Died
January 12, 2022
Hartney Community Health Centre 
Hartney, Manitoba

In accordance with the families wishes 
cremation has taken place and a 
Celebration of Life will be announced 
and held at a later date.

Donations in memory of Murray may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, 
1379 Kenaston Blvd., Winnipeg, MB R3P 2T5 or the Hartney Community Health Centre, 
Box 280, Hartney, MB R0M 0X0 or to a 
charity of one’s choice.

It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Murray Leonard Brown on January 12, 2022 at the Hartney Community Health Centre. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Shirley, children, sisters and their families along with many relatives and friends. 

Murray, the eldest of three children born to Leonard and Hazel (Lougheed) Brown, came into the world on March 19, 1931 on the farm near Regent, Manitoba.  He attended Regent School until Grade X when his having to help on the farm interfered with his studies.  He then farmed with his father on the home farm.  In the fall of 1957, Murray went to Saskatchewan to work on the oil with Bob and George McGregor. However, after a short time there, his father became ill and Murray returned home. After his father’s death that same year he continued to farm with his mother until 1964.   

In 1964 Murray married Shirley Stovin of Deloraine. They worked a mixed farm involving cattle, hogs and chickens, slowly transitioning to a grain farm as they acquired more land. Murray and Shirley raised their family; Michelle, born 1966 and Keith born 1968, on this farm. Regent was a wonderful community with many families and lots of children. The Browns always knew they could count on their neighbours and that the neighbours could count on them. After living in the old farmhouse for years, in 1977 a new home was built on the farm. Many happy memories were forged in both homes. 

In 1975 Murray and Shirley bought a travel trailer. They and the children enjoyed many trips throughout Canada and the USA. A favourite time for the kids was going to Lake Metigoshe for weekends where there were cousins with whom to play.  Murray was a relaxed traveller until his nose was pointed home. Then they travelled long hours as they headed back to the farm.  One of his favourite trips was to Newfoundland. For their 40th wedding anniversary the kids had given them a travel certificate which they used for that vacation. They also travelled to visit the children in Mississauga and Churchill. 

Murray took part in building a two-sheet curling rink at Regent. Many happy times were spent there over the years.  He enjoyed curling, watching curling and, along with Shirley, travelled to some large events in Calgary, Winnipeg and of course Brandon. Occasionally he and another husband would have to travel through snowy roads to bring Shirley, and the team on which she played, home because a car wouldn’t start, a gear had blown out, or they were stuck in the snow.

In 1999 Murray and Shirley decided to rent out their land. Following his retirement from farming Murray worked hauling fertilizer from the Pool outlet at Fairfax. He loved this job because it allowed him to meet and talk to farmers as well as see the countryside. He once told Shirley “I’m not going to tell them, but I would do this job for nothing”. Murray also did custom combining for various farmers. He liked not having to worry about moving augurs, emptying trucks or unclogging combines. He climbed into his trusty John Deere in the morning and climbed out of it at night. He was a happy man.

Being a practical man, Murray did not cultivate many hobbies. However, he enjoyed many pastimes such as dancing, movies, eating out, watching local hockey games and reading. In his younger years he was keen on deer hunting with “the guys”.  Murray loved to drive and after retirement would drive, almost daily, around the district to see what was new.  He delighted in going to the café in Elgin for coffee and gossip. He and his cousin Allan Lougheed made it a habit to go there every day and visit with the other retired fellows. The group became known as the senators.

In 2014 Murray and Shirley celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. This coincided with the hundredth anniversary of the family farm. They held a celebration in the yard at Regent. It was attended by friends and family from near and far. It was just a wonderful day for reminiscing and renewing old acquaintances. They felt blessed to have so many people attend.

Shirley believed Murray was mentally and emotionally a perfect farmer as he was an eternal optimist. He never saw the downside or worried about the weather. “It’s clearing in the west” was Murray’s famous and favourite saying. No matter what kind of storm was raging, he would look out the west window and utter those words. His friends teased him about the much used phrase. However “It’s clearing in the west” was how Murray lived his life.  He completely loved farming and his life. He never seemed to get discouraged. He was an easy man with whom to live. Murray was always curious and interested to see what was around the next corner. He never looked back, nor was he nostalgic about the old days. It was always about moving forward.

In 2017, following a terrible blizzard in which Murray and Shirley could have perished, they decided a move to town was necessary. They bought a house in Souris. Before they moved in Murray went into the hospital with an infected knee. Following a long hospital stay, he was required to go to the Hartney Community Health Centre. Murray remained there until his passing. He very much enjoyed visits from farmers, friends and relatives, either on the phone or in person. He loved trips to the farm which his family tried to provide once a week. He loved the farm till his last day.

Murray will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 57 years,Shirley; children Michelle Brown of Churchill, Keith (LisaTyerman) Brown of Kelowna, British Columbia; sisters Margaret McGregor, and Charlotte (George) McGregor both of Waskada; sister-in-law Jeanie McKay of Brandon, as well as many nieces and nephews. Murray was predeceased by his parents, brothers-in-law Bob McGregor of Waskada, John Stovin of Tofino, B.C., Don McKay of Brandon and nephew Curtis Wozney of Winnipeg. 

Murray was a kind, generous, happy man. He was supportive to his family, giving Shirley every opportunity to pursue her art career. He had a quiet strength and a gentle way of being. The family feels extremely blessed to have had him in their lives. 

A celebration of Murray’s life will take place this summer; notifications will be made prior to this event. Donations in memory of Murray may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, 1379 Kenaston Blvd. Winnipeg, MB., R3P 2T5; the Hartney Community Health Centre, Box 280 Hartney, MB., R0M 0X0; or a charity of one’s choice.